Can I lose benefits if testosterone cures my depression?

[abarrus]

Hi, All.

Just a couple weeks ago I had my testosterone levels checked after suspecting I had low levels since before I served. The levels are abnormally low. I begin testosterone replacement therapy this week. I've been 70% disabled for depression for 10 years. I became clinically depressed just months after returning from Iraq 14 years ago. I've been on medication for depression for all that time.

I'm now suspecting that getting my testosterone to normal levels (currently at 60, the normal range for men of 35 is about 600) will cure my depression, as it tends to have that effect. My hypogonadism isn't eligible for anything close to 70%. I'm looking forward to an improvement in my quality of life. I'm not looking forward to the possibility of losing $20k per year of tax-free income, which pays for my house and cars. It supported me without the need to work when I lived abroad after college.

I'm getting my testosterone replacement therapy from the VA. If I begin to report that the testosterone is working very well, will the VA benefits people see those medical records and decide that my depression has improved and give me a rate of less than 70%?

 

I'm excited about my life changing, but should I just go outside the VA for this? I'm not sure how the VA works. Worried for my family's financial security.

 

Thank you in advance for your input.

[blahsaysme2u]

7 hours ago, Vync said:

@blahsaysme2uGetting snipped should have no impact testosterone levels. It merely disconnects and clamps the plumbing from the testes so sperm goes nowhere, otherwise your hydraulics continue functioning as before the procedure. One thing to keep in mind is that after undergoing the procedure, you'll need to have a semen analysis some point after you have healed to verify the count is actually zero. Just because you got snipped does not mean that the provider who performed the procedure did their job right. If you do get snipped, I highly recommend getting several bags of frozen peas because you will need them afterwards to ice down the area.

i actually already had the procedure done. va doc did it and seemed to go well. was couple years ago now. 

But what my ED and low t issues i was hoping to get Erectile Dysfunction is assigned a 0% service connected VA rating under Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) Category (K) or SMC-K, for “Loss of Use of a Creative Organ.” but didnt know if that was possible since i been snipped? 

[john999]

There is no cure for depression that I have heard of so far.  If you are prone to depression you take certain drugs to control it.  I never heard of testosterone as a "cure" for depression.

[blahsaysme2u]

low T is cause of many different issues...depression just being one. 

[broncovet]

You posted:

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I just now talked to a DAV rep. He told me that the only way they will look at reducing my depression/anxiety comp is if I ask for an increase, which I have before.

Your DAV is wrong and should be tarred and feathered!  Reductions "are not" dependent upon "whether or not you apply for increase".  This myth is propogated by lazy, uninformed, or just plain malicious VSO's.  

Instead, "there is" a criteria for reduction, and not one word says anything close to "applying for increase".  To the contrary, apply for and seek all the benefits you deserve.  You can be reduced AT ANY TIME, whether or not you are seeking an increase, but only if you meet the following criteria:

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38 CFR § 3.344 - Stabilization of disability evaluations.

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§ 3.344 Stabilization of disability evaluations.

(a) Examination reports indicating improvement. Rating agencies will handle cases affected by change of medical findings or diagnosis, so as to produce the greatest degree of stability of disability evaluations consistent with the laws and Department of Veterans Affairs regulations governing disability compensation and pension. It is essential that the entire record of examinations and the medical-industrial history be reviewed to ascertain whether the recent examination is full and complete, including all special examinations indicated as a result of general examination and the entire case history. This applies to treatment of intercurrent diseases and exacerbations, including hospital reports, bedside examinations, examinations by designated physicians, and examinations in the absence of, or without taking full advantage of, laboratory facilities and the cooperation of specialists in related lines. Examinations less full and complete than those on which payments were authorized or continued will not be used as a basis of reduction. Ratings on account of diseases subject to temporary or episodic improvement, e.g., manic depressive or other psychotic reaction, epilepsy, psychoneurotic reaction, arteriosclerotic heart disease, bronchial asthma, gastric or duodenal ulcer, many skin diseases, etc., will not be reduced on any one examination, except in those instances where all the evidence of record clearly warrants the conclusion that sustained improvement has been demonstrated. Ratings on account of diseases which become comparatively symptom free (findings absent) after prolonged rest, e.g. residuals of phlebitis, arteriosclerotic heart disease, etc., will not be reduced on examinations reflecting the results of bed rest. Moreover, though material improvement in the physical or mental condition is clearly reflected the rating agency will consider whether the evidence makes it reasonably certain that the improvement will be maintained under the ordinary conditions of life. When syphilis of the central nervous system or alcoholic deterioration is diagnosed following a long prior history of psychosis, psychoneurosis, epilepsy, or the like, it is rarely possible to exclude persistence, in masked form, of the preceding innocently acquired manifestations. Rating boards encountering a change of diagnosis will exercise caution in the determination as to whether a change in diagnosis represents no more than a progression of an earlier diagnosis, an error in prior diagnosis or possibly a disease entity independent of the service-connected disability. When the new diagnosis reflects mental deficiency or personality disorder only, the possibility of only temporary remission of a super-imposed psychiatric disease will be borne in mind.

(b) Doubtful cases. If doubt remains, after according due consideration to all the evidence developed by the several items discussed in paragraph (a) of this section, the rating agency will continue the rating in effect, citing the former diagnosis with the new diagnosis in parentheses, and following the appropriate code there will be added the reference “Rating continued pending reexamination ___ months from this date, § 3.344.” The rating agency will determine on the basis of the facts in each individual case whether 18, 24 or 30 months will be allowed to elapse before the reexamination will be made.

(c) Disabilities which are likely to improve. The provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section apply to ratings which have continued for long periods at the same level (5 years or more). They do not apply to disabilities which have not become stabilized and are likely to improve. Reexaminations disclosing improvement, physical or mental, in these disabilities will warrant reduction in rating.

 

[Vync]

15 hours ago, blahsaysme2u said:

i actually already had the procedure done. va doc did it and seemed to go well. was couple years ago now. 

But what my ED and low t issues i was hoping to get Erectile Dysfunction is assigned a 0% service connected VA rating under Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) Category (K) or SMC-K, for “Loss of Use of a Creative Organ.” but didnt know if that was possible since i been snipped? 

There are a lot of causes of ED from side effects of medications to other hormones. I know my urologist always checks my thyroid when I go in for a checkup. Might be worth looking up your most recent labs and comparing any abnormal values to known side effects of meds you take to treat your SC disabilities. Ironically, some psychotropic meds used to treat depression like prozac can actually cause decreased libido.

[Buck52]

I don't think I understand this question?

 Can I lose benefits if testosterone cures my depression? if you ask for increase  for your depression as being worse  or another  another condition depression causes.

 

 AFTER HAVING DEPRESSION   &being service connected  and sa rating given  for 10 Years I doubt  they would take it away ,  they need to have good reason too  if you apply for increase  they may send you to a C&P  and The C&P Examiner can screw things up pretty much  and that may mess things up , 

I never heard of Testrone injections curing depression?  just the opsite I would think  but I am not a Doc.

you can have other conditions that depression can cause  heres is just a few 

Symptoms

Although depression may occur only once during your life, people typically have multiple episodes. During these episodes, symptoms occur most of the day, nearly every day and may include:

Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness

Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters

Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports

Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much

Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort

Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain

Anxiety, agitation or restlessness

Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements

Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame

Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things

Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide

Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

For many people with depression, symptoms usually are severe enough to cause noticeable problems in day-to-day activities, such as work, school, social activities or relationships with others. Some people may feel generally miserable or unhappy without really knowing why.

 

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